Cincinnati Reds: Three players who’ve excelled in expanded roles

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 27: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run in the fifth inning. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Which three Reds players have made the most of their opportunities in 2020?

Entering the 2020 season, it was a foregone conclusion that the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation would be the strength of this team. That’s held true so far in 2020, but the performance of a few under-appreciated players has kept Cincinnati afloat during the first half of the season. Which three unlikely contributors stick out the most?

Every Reds fan assumed that Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo would be dominant on the mound this season. Gray has been lights out and Castillo has been good enough. Thankfully, Trevor Bauer rallied from a poor performance during last year’s 10 games with the Reds and has turned Cincinnati’s starting rotation into a three-headed monster.

Fans also expected Nick Castellanos to bring his bat every night. So far, that’s been the case. The Reds biggest free agent signing leads the team in runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. Castellanos has been a force in the middle of the Reds lineup since Opening Day.

But what about the unexpected performances from a few Cincinnati players? You know, the offensive outburst or lights-out pitching performance that makes you say, “Whoa, I didn’t see that coming.” Let’s take a look at three members of the Cincinnati Reds who have excelled in their expanded roles this season.

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 28: Tyler Mahle #42 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the first inning of the game. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

1. Tyler Mahle, Reds starting pitcher

Expected to be part of the Reds bullpen this season, Tyler Mahle has inserted himself into the conversation to be part of the Cincinnati rotation next season. With Anthony DeSclafani and Trevor Bauer likely headed out of town via free agency, Mahle is the logical choice to supplant one of them in next year’s rotation.

Mahle was not the first choice among those selected to be part of this year’s starting rotation. After 12 losses in 2019, the Cincinnati front office decided to invest in Wade Miley as their fifth starter this season. In fact, before the pandemic hit, Mahle was expected to start the 2020 season at Triple-A Louisville.

An injury to fellow pitcher Anthony DeSclafani landed the right-hander on the injured list to begin the season and Mahle snagged a spot in the rotation. As soon as Disco returned to the team, Wade Miley suffered an injury that require a stint on the IL. DeSclafani’s trip to the paternity list and a slew of doubleheaders have seen Mahle start four of the five games in which he’s pitched.

Mahle’s strikeout-rate, according to FanGraphs, is at an all-time high. The California native is striking batters once every three at-bats. For a player who wasn’t even expected to be part of the Opening Day roster, Mahle has cashed in on his opportunities. With Wade Miley back on the IL, except Mahle to get another start this week.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 14: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Jesse Winker, Reds outfielder

Okay, be honest, you didn’t expect Jesse Winker to be the Reds best hitter this season, right? Of course not. Throughout his career, Winker has shown a good eye at the plate, but has struggled mightily against left-handed pitching. So much so that David Bell platooned Winker with Phillip Ervin last season. Ervin is now gone and Winker is absolutely on fire.

There’s not a hotter hitter in baseball than Jesse Winker. Over his last 15 games, the Reds left fielder is hitting .396/.491/.979 with eight home runs and 12 RBIs. Fernando Tatis Jr., the darling of the baseball world right now, is hitting .283/.368/.567 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in his last 15 games. Winker’s OPS during that time (1.470) is 535 points higher than Tatis Jr.’s (.935).

One thing that has helped Winker this season is the implementation of a universal designated hitter. Now I know that many throughout Reds Country, myself included, were hesitant to accept the DH in the National League, but without its addition, it’s quit possible that we would not have seen Winker blossom into the hitter we see today.

With the crowded outfield entering summer camp, Winker was unlikely to beat out the likes of Shogo Akiyama or Nick Castellanos for a regular spot in the lineup. Heck, last year, he struggled to beat out Ervin. But now, Jesse Winker has supplanted Eugenio Suárez and Joey Votto as the team’s No. 3 hitter in the lineup.

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 4: Lucas Sims #39 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Cleveland Indians. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

3. Lucas Sims, Reds relief pitcher

Has there been a more impressive reliever on the Reds this season than Lucas Sims? I know, I know, that’s not saying a lot given the state of the Cincinnati bullpen. However, despite the struggles from the relief corps, Sims has brought it every night and has the makings to be the team’s closer heading into next season, if not before.

Raisel Iglesias has not been as bad as what we saw from him last season, but the right-hander is still relatively inconsistent and it’s hard to count on him to close out a game. However, if Lucas Sims enters the game in the ninth inning with a lead, I feel pretty safe that the Reds are going to emerge with the W.

Lucas Sims is capitalizing on his opportunity this season. Sims has made 11 relief appearances, second-most on the team behind Amir Garrett and Nate Jones. Sims leads the Reds relief corps with 13 innings pitched and 18 strikeouts. Sims has bumped his K-rate up to 36.7% according to FanGraphs.

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If the Cincinnati Reds are to continue their upward trend, they’ll need their reliable players to continue to play at a high level, but those listed here must continue to impress as well. If Eugenio Suárez, Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas play up to their talent, this Cincinnati Reds squad could be tough to beat in the month of September.

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